User account menu

Main navigation

better, Inc.

This submission reflects this organization's contribution to the climate effort, representative of their current actions and commitments as well as the ways in which they intend to step up and collaborate with others.

better, Inc.'s Climate Action Contribution

About better, Inc.'s Climate Efforts

We are providing financing for sustainable buildings and water infrastructure design/construction and assist clients in developing projects and strategies for implementation.

Climate Action Commitments

Current Climate Actions better, Inc. Is Taking:

New Climate Actions better, Inc. Commits To Take:

Commit to Responsible Engagement in Climate Policy

While individual organization action is necessary, local and federal government action is also needed to reach global climate goals. Your organization can have a critical voice in advancing public policy. A commitment to responsible engagement in climate policy means that your organization commits to supporting public policy to: promote energy efficiency and renewable energy; increase investment in a clean energy economy; support climate change adaptation, or put a price on carbon.

Commit to Building Climate Resilience in your Community

By committing to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate, companies and institutions can secure their operations and supply chains and conserve natural resources that are stressed due to climate change. While there is much a business can do within their community, primary among these options is reducing water usage. Organizations can commit to increase their own water security through a range of actions, including installing water-saving devices, capturing rainwater for onsite uses, and recycling grey water. Or just commit to get engaged with your community in resilience planning.

Commit to Increase Energy Efficiency

Most companies begin by assessing energy usage or performing an energy audit to identify opportunities to increase energy efficiency throughout their facilities and operations. Energy reduction targets can be framed as either absolute reductions or reductions that are normalized per unit of production, such as per tons shipped, per dollars of revenue produced, or other relevant business metric. Some examples of commitments that can be taken include:

Conducting an energy audit or request a meeting with your building owner to explore scheduling an audit

Upgrading HVAC system to a more efficient model

Upgrading lights in your office/facility to LEDs

Upgrading insulation and windows

Replacing appliances in your office with Energy Star-rated models

Instituting a company policy of turning off lights other electronics when not in use.

Commit to Understand and Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Understanding your GHG emissions is the first step to making measurable reductions in those emissions. The EPA provides an overview report and CoolClimate Network provides a simple tool for “low emitters” to better understand sources of emissions, as well as how to use that information to set reduction targets. For this commitment, it is as simple as committing to complete a greenhouse gas inventory for your business or oganization, but in the future your inventory can be used to make a commitment to set a specific goal, such as “reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2025.

Integrate Climate Change into Portfolio Analyses and Decision-Making

Commit to integrate climate change-related risks and opportunities in portfolio analysis and decision-making processes through one or more of the following:

Local Collaboration

Collaborate on climate and clean energy action, and to advocate for stronger climate policy at the local level

Utility Sector

Aggregating demand for renewable energy with other actors

Supporting states, cities, and utilities in decarbonizing their energy supply

Organization details

better, Inc. is a built environment and water infrastructure provider of financing, financial consulting, and sustainable design, also through its sister firms of John Todd Ecological Design, Inc. and Photonica, Inc.

We Are Still In is as a joint declaration of support for climate action, signed by more than 3,750 CEOs, mayors, governors, college presidents, and others. The organizations they represent comprise the largest and most diverse coalition of actors ever established in pursuit of climate action.